BUDDING artists revealed more than their hidden talent during the launch of a life exhibition in Burnley.

The students from Burnley College created the collection of nude portraits under the watchful eye of the town's famous artist David Wild.

The Life Art Exhibition, which includes 32 exhibits by 12 aritists will be held in the Ministry of Ale pub in Trafalger Street, Burnley, during the next five weeks.

The exhibition was launched by Coun Carole Galbraith last night when a preview evening was held in the pub.

She said: "The Moonshine Brewery based here at the Ministry of Ales involves the delicate, sensitive, creative act to brew the fulsome goodness of our local ales.

"It is indeed a most fitting place for the Exhibition of Life, a place which already attracts the connoisseurs of perfection.

"The artists were brought together by their love of art, and that they met at Burnley college.

"I think our local College can feel very proud that not only have they provided an opportunity for these artists to develop their creativity but they have played some part in producing artists who feel confident and proud to exhibit their work."

The paintings and drawings stretch around all the walls of the pub and are available to buy.

Joanne Glasgow, 40, has attended David Wild's classes for four years and has three exhibits, one in charcoal and two in pastels.

She said: "We are a varied age group, from people who have just left school through to the older age group. It's great that we have been offered the chance to show off our work in the Ministry of Ale."

Mr Wild, of Rosehill Road, Burnley, is well known in Burnley for his work, particularly his £3,000 painting of Towneley Hall.

He said: "They all have an association with the college but they have formed their own independent group and I have not had any part in organising this exhibition.

"I am very fortunate that I have got a class of people that are very experienced and have produced very good work.

"It is the first time they have exhibited together and the theme is to do with the body which has been a basis of painting back to the 12th century.

"They are all completely different and there's no one style which makes it an interesting exhibition.

"It is nice that the Ministry of Ale has shown an interest and I don't think there's been many exhibitions of nude paintings before in a pub."

Customers at the Ministry of Ale had a sneak preview of the paintings as they were being hung and landlord Michael Jacques believes they will go down well.

He is also brewing a special ale named Life to mark the occasion. It will be ready in a couple of weeks.

He said: "David had mentioned they were looking to hold an exhibition and we had the wall space. I thought about doing something like this before but it had never materialised.

"It certainly brightens the pub up. It also gives people who wouldn't normally go in to an art gallery the chance to see them and enjoy them."